Your TR Source
President Roosevelt writes about Ohio Senator Joseph Benson Foraker to Senator Lodge. New information regarding Foraker’s motives provides proof that Foraker was working in the interest of the corporations, not for African Americans. Roosevelt feels this is the same reason Foraker was fighting the judgeship in Ohio.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1908-09-19
The writer summarizes Judge Speer’s statement to a grand jury in Savannah, Georgia, regarding efforts to “solve the negro problem and restore the good name of the South.” Speer discusses how racial conflict increases crime and hinders criminal investigations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-12-09
The article summarizes reactions to President Roosevelt’s success in the recent national election as published in newspapers from cities in the South. This clipping was mailed from New York City by Nicholas Murray Butler, who identified the newspaper as The Globe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-11-15
President Roosevelt expresses his disgust at lynching and mob violence. The best method to discourage lynching is to ensure that “justice under the forms of law shall be as expeditious and even-handed as possible.” When a community discriminates against someone due to their color, the path is paved for discrimination in other areas.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-09
President Roosevelt responds to a letter from his friend John Milliken Parker. Roosevelt remarks on Parker’s “hysterical tone” suggesting that “increase of rape” and the “relations of the races” has anything to do with Roosevelt’s friendship with Booker T. Washington. Roosevelt does not believe he needs to speak to the press as Parker suggests and gives many examples when he expounded his beliefs on the matter of race relations.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-03
President Roosevelt tells William L. Pryor that Governor James Kimble Vardaman and Senator H. D. Money have willfully been misleading in recounting statements he made about lynching. He encloses for Pryor copies of his speeches and letters to prove his actual statements on the matter. Roosevelt says he always makes a point of denouncing the alleged crime that proceeded a lynching in speeches on the subject.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-11-13
President Roosevelt is pleased with Editor McBee’s reaction to Roosevelt’s stance on the appeal for clemency in a recent rape case and applauds a recent article on lynching. Roosevelt also comments on an article about Judge Alton B. Parker’s odd taste in art, noting that the article reflects poorly on its author, not on Parker. He compares the Parker article to a remark made by General Young regarding his disappointment in visiting the art galleries in Europe.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-10
President Roosevelt would like to help Sheriff Joseph Lumpkin Merrell because his career suffered after he defended an African American prisoner from a lynch mob.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-03-10
John Allison, Chancellor of the Davidson Chancery Court in Tennessee, notes that the African American churches and organizations protesting President Roosevelt’s dismissal of a battalion of African American soldiers have not made any resolutions condemning the soldiers that he believes are responsible for killing innocent civilians in Brownsville, Texas, nor have they expressed any sympathy for those victims or regret at the conduct of the battalion whom he believes are protecting the murderers. Allison tells President Roosevelt’s secretary, William Loeb, that this is typical behavior for African Americans, and he urges Roosevelt not to countermand his order of dismissal because it might embolden the “worst elements of their race.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-11-21
Andrew Jackson Montague suggests changes to President Roosevelt’s message regarding lynching and public education. Montague agrees that it would be wise to create a commission to investigate and make recommendations regarding these matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-30
Rollo Ogden forwards to President Roosevelt a letter from A. C. Cleveland regarding questions Ogden posed about the enforcement of electoral laws in the South. Ogden urges Roosevelt to press this issue as it would weaken the Democratic Party, and he urges that Roosevelt should publicly condemn lynching.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-28
Edgar S. Wilson responds to President Roosevelt, who has asked his opinion of a letter Roosevelt received from Frederic Speed. Wilson states that Speed is not respected or considered trustworthy in his community. Contrary to Speed’s charges, Governor Longino and Senator McLaurin from Mississippi have taken direct action to prevent lynching in that state. Wilson hopes to meet with Roosevelt to discuss a number of matters.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-28
Frederic Speed questions President Roosevelt on what he sees as inconsistencies between Roosevelt’s actions and his words regarding African Americans. Speed is primarily concerned with Roosevelt allowing Senator McLaurin and Governor Longino to control federal patronage in Mississippi because Speed believes them to be ardent racists with a history of allowing mob violence.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-09
John St. Loe Strachey thanks President Roosevelt for his invitation to be his guest if Strachey were to visit the United States. He apologizes for an article concerning the “Negro question” that he published in The Spectator which, unintentionally, reflected poorly on Roosevelt. Strachey explains that he merely wanted to express his strong feelings that African Americans must be protected from violence and have justice. He states that Roosevelt is undoubtedly better educated on the topic; however, he felt it necessary to explain his intentions concerning the article.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1901-11-06